Fish processing vessels 5000GT and greater are required to be inspected and certificated under the Coast Guard vessel inspection program.

The primary purpose of a fish processing vessel is not the dispensing of patroleum products. The Coast Guard's position is that if a vessels carries combustable or flammable liquids in bulk either Marine Portable Tanks (MPT's) or independant tanks and carries more than 20 percent of its DWT it is operating as a tank vessel and must be certificate under Subchapter D. Generally, a vessel carrying less than 20 percent of its DWT is not deemed to be principally carrying bulk combustible or flammable cargo. The Part 105 Inspection Checklist refers to the Marine Safety Manual (MSM) Volume II Chapter 11.F. This is the old MSM and an excerpt is provided for reference.

This is a copy, for historcial purposes, of the Notice of Proposed Rule
Making (NPRM) posted Aug 20th 2014 and the Final Rule posted Mar 1, 2016 both in the federal register that makes changes to 46 CFR 105.

3rd Party Examiners

NVIC 13-91 - Dated October 7, 1991 this provided
initial policy for 3rd party organizations and established criteria for
"accepted organizations" and "similarly qualified organizations".

MOC
Policy Ltr 04-07 - Dated Aug 6, 2007 provided additional guidance on the acceptance of accepted
organization and similarly qualified organizations and provided for rescinding of acceptance of an individual third party
qualification. This guidance also stipulates that all exam paperwork be submitted to the Area Coordinators as opposed to
District as outlined in 46 CFR 28.710(e).

ADF&G Vessel Registration Number Marking - 5 AAC 39.119 - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game requires that the vessel registration number assigned to a commercial fishing vessel be marked on the vessels as follows. Markings shall be at least 12 inches in height and 1 inch in width that contrasts with the background. Visible on both sides of the hull, cabin or mast. Plainly visible and unobscured..

Alaska Fishing Vessels Transporting Cargo

Alaska Fishing Vessels Transporting Cargo -
Normally vessels that carry cargo for hire are required to be inspected
46 USC 3302 exempts fishing, fish tender and fish processing vessels that carry cargo to Alaska ports that do not
receive weekly service from inspected cargo vessels from having to be inspected. They may not transport cargo to ports
that do receive weekly cargo service by inspected cargo vessels. The Aleutian Trade Act (ATA) provides a special exemption to this
regulation (see ATA Vessels below)

Alaska Youth Worker Laws - Alaska law
prohibits minors under age 16 from working on a fishing boat UNLESS the boat is operated by a parent.

Aleutian Trade Act (ATA) Vessels

- this act allows vessels within specific boundaries (from mid Kodiak Island to the western most island (Attu))
in Alaska to carry cargo to remote locations that receive weekly common carrier service by certificated cargo vessels such as
Sealand and Crowley

Supplementary Notice of Proposedl Rule - Federal Register -
October 27, 1992 - This SNPRM was proposed after some of the items in the Final Rule of August 14,
1991 generated comments of public concern and were separated from the final rule in order that the items could be adequately
be addressed. These topic include stability for fishing vessels < 79 feet, survivall craft requirements carrying less than 4
POB inside 12 miles. Also Aleutian Trade Act, Load Lines, drill course curricula and instructor acceptance criteria, termination of
fishing vessels.

AIS transmits data to the AIS system. All vessels in the system are presented on a screen providing the user
with a picture of other vessels relative to the users vessel. By selecting a vessel on the screen the user is presented
with information about that vessel including the vessels name, course, speed, classification, call sign, registration
number and other important information about the vessel. This information is also provided to the Coast Guard in order to
track vessels entering the United States.

WHO IS REQUIRED TO HAVE AIS?

AIS is required for all self propelled commercial fishing vessels, fish tender vessel and fish processing vessels that are 65 feet or greater are required to have installed either a Class A or Class B (AIS) in accordance with (33 CFR 164.46(b)(1)(i)). If you have questions please refer to the USCG Navigation Center website.

AIS must remain in continuous operation at all times while the vessel is operating.

AIS may be switched off if continuous operation would compromise safety or security of the vessel. This action and the
reason for taking it must be reported to the nearest U.S. Captain of the Port or Vessel Traffic Center and recorded in the
ship's logbook. The AIS should return to continuous operation as soon as the source of danger has been mitigated.

CG543 Policy Letter 12-02-
Dated March 1, 2012 - Final policy that states that Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel may
assist the CFIVS program by conducting mandatory dockside exams as proviided for with the signing of the Coast Guard Authorization Act
of 2010.

Battery Replacement (scheduled maintenance Table 28.140)

NVIC 1-92 (Enclosure 5) -
Regular batteries sold over the counter such as 9 volt and A, C or D cells even though they have a date must be replaced
annually. Special marine type battereis marked with an expiration date must be replaced after the date marked on the battery.

Bilge Alarms

46 CFR 28.250 - This is to clarify that
there must be a visual alarm indicator located at the primary operating station for each space fitted with a high water alarms
alarm. Each separate space must provide its own indication by a separate visual indicator. Unlike the visual alarm, all high water
indicators can be tied to the same audible alarm. If a space such as an engine room has two high level indicators fitted in the
same space they may both illuminate the same visual indicator.

............

Boarding Ladder

50 CFR 600.730(c)(3)and(4)) -
All commercial fishing vessels with greater than a 4 foot of freeboard are requred to carry a boarding ladder.
The ladder must be sufficient to allow authorized boarding officers and observers to board the vessel while at sea.
This is a requirement of the Magnason Stevens Act related to fisheres enforcement.

Federal Register dated 17 Nov 2008 -
Which published the final rule related to the requirement for commercial fishing
vessels with greater than a 4 foot freeboard to carry a boarding ladder. Effective date of this regulation is 1 Jan 2009.

Boundary Lines Definition - Boundary Lines are defined in 46 CFR 7.
In general, the Boundary Lines follow the trend of the seaward high water shorelines and cross entrances to small bays, inlets and rivers.
Where the boundary line differs from the above definition the lines have been plotted on the below Google Maps.

Canadian vessels are allowed to fish in US waters. The do not have to comply with US commercial fishing vessel safety regulations,
but must comply with Canadian safety regulations. If major deficiencies are found they should be reported to District dre.
District will contact Canadian authorities regarding the issue and negotiate a proper response. There are certain especially
hazardous condtioins that do warrant termination and a highlighted in the OPORDER.

Casualty Reporting

46 CFR 28.80 -
This regulation requires the reporting of marine casualties to the Coast Guard and to the Marine Index Bureau.
This information is to be used by the Coast Guard to identify casualty trends and work to reduce these casualties.

46 USC 6104 -
This is the US Code that is the law behind 46 CFR 28.80.

Federal Register Aug, 14 1991 -
This is an excerpt from the Federal Register that announced the final rule of the Fishing Vessel Safety Act and has a discussion
as to public comment on this specific regulation, and provides good historical information about the subject of 46 CFR 28.80.

46 CFR 28.90 -
This regulation requires crew members to report within seven days injuries, illness or disability to the master/operator or agent of the
employer of a commercial fishing vessel.

46 CFR 28.165 -
This regulation requires the posting of the "Injury Placard".

Charts: (See "Navigation" folder below)

Citizenship - All Officers required by regulation are required to be US citizens 46 USC 8103(a). Every documented vessel is required to be under the command of a US citizen. 46 CFR 15.805(b).

Demarcation Line Listing -
This is a document that provides easy access to the various COLREGs Demarcation Lines. Links are listed by location around the
country and provides access to the legal description as to it's location. Vessels that operate inside the lines of demarcation are
required to carry a copy of the inland Navigation Rules.

Construction requirements for new vessels

46 USC 4502(h) - Fishing vessels and Fish Tender vessels less than 50 feet overall in length built after July 1, 2010 that operates beyond 3 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline or 3nm from the coastline in the Great Lakes.

46 USC 4503(c)(1) - Fishing vessels and Fish Tender vessels 50 feet and greater and less than 79 feet overall in length built after July 1, 2013 to February 8, 2016 that operates beyond 3 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline or 3nm from the coastline in the Great Lakes or that carries more than 16 individuals on board, or in the case of a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade.

Must be built and maintained to class rules by the ABS or similarly qualified organization accepted by the Coast Guard.

46 USC 4503(c)(2) - Fishing vessels and Fish Tender vessels 50 feet and greater and less than 79 feet overall in length built after February 8, 2016 that operates beyond 3 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline or 3nm from the coastline in the Great Lakes or that carries more than 16 individuals on board, or in the case of a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade must comply with 46 USC 4503(e) (below) or the alternative requirements established by the Coast Guard (TBD).

46 USC 4503(e) - Must be designed by a state licensed naval architect or marine engineer.

The design must incorporate standards equivalent to a classification society accepted by the Coast Guard or another qualified organization approved by the Coast Guard.

Construction must be overseen and certified in accordance with its design by a Marine Surveyor accepted by the Coast Guard.

The vessel must complete a stability test.

- Have written stability and loading instructions.

- Be assigned a loading mark.

Must not be substantially altered without review and approval of a state licensed naval architect or marine engineer.

Vessel must undergo a condition survey twice in a 5 year period not to exceed 3 years between surveys.

Vessel must undergo an out of the water survey at least once every 5 years.

Maintenance records to demonstrate compliance with the above and make available to the Coast Guard upon request.

Must maintain class by the ABS or similarly qualified organization accepted by the Coast Guard, unless the service of the vessel will be inside 3nm from the territorial sea baseline and carry less than 16 individuals on board and in the case of a Fish Tender vessel will not engage in the Aleutian trade.

CPR and First Aid Training

CFIVS Final Rule Federal Register-
Dated Aug 14, 1991 a valid CPR or first aid card is not required. The person needs only to provide proof that they have
attended the training. See discussion in the final rule language.

Dead Ship Tow

Guidance for vessel being towed on a one-way voyage for purposes of scrapping or permanent removal from navigation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires that U.S vessels require clearance prior to being towed to a foreign port for permanant removal. Prior to being towed the local U.S. Coast Guard Officer In Charge Marine Inspection (OCMI) must be satisfied that certain conditions are met. Guidance is referenced in the Marine Safety Manual Vol II - Section B, Chapter 1 Paragraph B-8. Guidance for Coast Guard issuance of an International Loadline for a "one way" voyage is covered in the Marine Safety Manual Vol IV, Chapter 6.F.3.c(1). A table of issues that should be considered by the Coast Guard are provide here.

46 CFR 67.21- Fisheries
Endorsements for documented vessels. In order to engage in commercial fishing a documented vessel must have
a fisheries endorsement. Only vessels built in the United States are eligible to obtain a fisheries endorsement.
Vessel not constructed in the United States are not eligible. See the link for other vessels that may receive a fisheries
endorsement.

STATE REGISTERED VS DOCUMENTED TONNAGE GUIDANCE - How to determine if a state registered vessel should be
required to be documented. This guidance only applies to US built hulls and vessels that have been state registered for years.

46 CFR 67.105
- Gross and net tonnage can be calculated using simplified tonnage calculations or by certificate
of measurement.

Documentation and Tonnage Brochure
- This informational brochure provides an overview of federal documentation and tonnage measurement
requirements for owners of U.S. commercial vessels less than 79 feet in overall length.

MVI Policy letter
- dated 26 Oct 1990, vessels greater than 5 net tons are required to be documented. This policy letter
provides rule of thumb guidelines by using length, depth and breadth measurements in order to obtain a cubic foot measurement.
Vessels that measure greater than 4000 cu ft are over 5 net tons and should be required to be documented unless admeasured by a
naval architect and issued a tonnage certificate for less than 5 net tons.

Post Casualty Drug Testing after a Serious Marine Incident 46 CFR 4.06 - Each individual engaged or employed on board the vessel who is directly
involved in the incident 46 CFR 4.03-4. That normally includes all crew
working aboard the vessel. A Serious Marine Incident is defind in 46 CFR 4.03-2
.Federal Register Final Rule for this regulation is also available
here.

Alcohol testing 46 CFR 4.06-15(a) -
Alcohol testing of all crew is required within 2 hours of a serious marine incident.
All vessels must carry a sufficient number of alcohol testing devices aboard the vessel, The alcohol testing devices need
not be carried on board if obtaining the devices and conducting the required alcohol test can be accomplished within 2
hours of a serious marine incident.

Alcohol testing collection training46 CFR 4.06-15(a)
-Collection of an individuals saliva or breath must be taken only by personnel trained to
operate the alcohol-testing device in use. There is no specific guidance on what that training should entail.
46 CFR 4.06-3(a)(2) states "Alcohol-testing devices must be
used according to the procedures specified by the manufaturer of the testing device. In addition the marine employer shall ensure a CG-2692 and the
supplemental form CG-2692b is submitted which includes the following as
required by 46 CFR 4.06-12:

* Identity of those individuals tested positive
* Specify method used to obtain evidence
* Entry made in official log book (if carried)
* Individual(s) that refused the test.

Drug Testing after a Serious Marine Incident
46 CFR 4.06-15(b) - in addition to the requirement to test for alcohol within 2 hours,
testing for other drugs must be conducted on crew within 32 hours of a serious marine incident.

Drill Conductor Training

NVIC 7-93
- Dated Aug 24, 1993, this provides guidance for accepting course curriculum for the training of
Drill Instructors who are then qualified to teach Drill Conductors how to conduct drills aboard commercial fishing vessels.

Click here
- Make sure to select "enable editing" then put in the current vessels dimensions in the space to the right of the arrows to get the minimum freeing port area. Once all 3 have been entered the minimum freeing port area will be displayed.

47 CFR SubPart W -RADIO OPERATORS
- 2 licensed operators with GMDSS endorsement required for vessel 300 gross tons and greater (47 CFR 80.1065(a)), and beyond 100 miles from
shore (Beyond sea areas A-1 and A-2). (The greater than 100 miles from shore comes from 47 CFR 80.1071 (Exemptions) paragraphs (c)(2)
which exempts vsls that can remain within VHF coverage areas and (c)(3) which exempts vsls that can reamain withing MF coverage areas).
47 CFR 80.1073 discusses the radio operator specific requirement. NOTE this does not align with NVIC 3-99. According to Russ Levin with
GMDSS committee HQ the NVIC needs to be updated to align with the regulations but has not been updated. Follow CFR requirements.

Termination of 2Mhz watchkeeping
- This is a Safety Alert issued 23 Jun 2013 by the Coast Guard providing notification that the Coast
Guard will no longer be monitoring medium frequency (2-4mHz) emergency and weather alert frequencies.

HQ Memo GMDSS Requirements for CFVs Operating in Alaska Waters
- Dated 1 August 2014. The Coast Guard will not be announcing the opening of Sea Areas A-1 or A-2 for waters off of
Alaska. This memo clears up questions about GMDSS equipment carriage requirements for commercial fishing vessels operating in Alaska waters.

MSIB D14-01-15- This Marine Safety Information Bulletin is applicable to vessels operating in the waters off of Hawaii. It provides a class exemption to any commercial fishing vessel less than 36', operating within 15nm from shore, with four or less people onboard from the survival craft and emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) requirements.

NVIC 7-01 - Procedures for Hull Inspection and Repair on
Vessel Built of Riveted Construction

Non-destructive Testing of Wood Hulls
- A report from the
Coast Guard Research and Development Center - This paper reports the results of a project at
the Coast Guard R&D Center which has tested and identified some methods which may be utilized to improve the inspection of
wooden vessels. In this project, previous work performed for inspection of wooden structures was reviewed and those which held the
most promise were evaluated on a donated vessel.

Loadline Job Aid
- this is a flowchart (not official document) that assists in determining whether a vessel is required
to have a loadline or not based on 46 USC 5102. This job aid also references vessel on a
foreign voyage. According to 46CFR42.03-5 "all US vessels which engage in a foreign voyage or international voyage by sea are subject to the loadline regs". 46CFR42.05-45 an international voyage "means a sea voyage from any country to any port outside that country , or conversely".
Note this does not include Canada when navigating on sheltered waters of Puget Sound and contiguous west coast waters of United States and Canada see 46CFR42.03-35.

MVI Policy Ltr 14-90- dated
Jun 20, 1990 this discusses fish processors, the requirement for them to be loadlined and discusses what types of processes
qualify as processing or not.

Mates -any person in charge of navigating the vessel or standing a
navigation watch on a
self propelled, seagoing documented vessel of 200gt or greater is required to be appropriately licensed. 46 CFR 15.810(c). A person that stands a lookout watch as required by
Rule 5 of the Nav Rules is required to be a member of the navigation watch 46 CFR 28.850.

Chief Engineers -a person that has operation or maintenance responsibilites for the
propulsion machinery aboard a seagoing documented vessel of 200gt and greater is required to hold an appropriate license 46 CFR 15.820(b).

Asst Engineers - a person in charge of an engineering watch aboard a
mechnically propelled
seagoing documented vessel of 200gt or greater is required to hold an appropriate license 46 CFR 15.825(a). It is the responsiblity of the vessel master to
establish the watch 46 CFR 15.705(a).

46 CFR 15.103(e) - STCW requirements for
fishing vessels - Licenses are only required for vessels greater than 200 gross tons.
STCW is only required for licensed mariners of fish processing vessels that do not fish. Licensed mariners of fishing vessels
as defined in 46 USC 2101(11)(a) and fish tender vessels as defined in
2101(11)(c) are not required to have STCW endorsements.

HQ Policy Ltr 11-11 Change 1 - Extension of date
for compliance with Policy Ltr 11-11 - extends compliance to Oct 15, 2015. Provides for additional time on case by case basis as agreed to by the cognizant OCMI..

Marine Sanitation Device (MSD)

33 CFR 159.7(b) - Securing of Type I and Type II s MSDs - These type devices treat the sewege in preparation for pumping overboard and required to be certified to meet Coast Guard standards. This treated waste may be discharged in waters including inside 3 miles from shore (except those locations designated as NO DISCHARGE ZONES see link below)

33 CFR 159.7(c) - Securing of Type III s MSDs - A Type III device is a simple holding tank. Since the affluent is not treated, pumping overboard is more restricted. Untreated sewage can not be discharged inside 3 miles from shore. There may be additional restrictions for each state.

Policy Decision HQ 7 Jan 1997
- Letter of response to David Green on a
policy decision that a change of the type of vessel from Fishing / Tender / Processor is major conversion.

HQ guidance document -
released in 2012 - For the purposes of meeting requirements of an
alternate safety compliance program, the term “substantial change,” has the same meaning as the term “major conversion” as defined
by 46 U.S.C. § 2101(14a). A substantial change or major conversion under this
definition means a conversion of a vessel that: substantially changes the dimensions (e.g. length, breadth, or depth) or carrying capacity of
the vessel; changes the type of the vessel; substantially prolongs the life of the vessel; or, otherwise so changes the
vessel that it is essentially a new vessel, as decided by the Commandant.

Marine Pollution - MARPOL: (See Pollution folder below)

Manning Guidance

Manning Job Aid
- this is not an official document
but a job aid to help determine manning requirments for specific fishing industry vessels and includes references to the
regs.

Mates -any person in charge of navigating the vessel or standing a
navigation watch on a
self propelled, seagoing documented vessel of 200gt or greater is required to be appropriately licensed.
46 CFR 15.810(c). A person that stands a lookout watch as required by
Rule 5 of the Nav Rules is required to be a member of the navigation watch
46 CFR 28.850.

Chief Engineers -a person that has operation or maintenance responsibilites for the
propulsion machinery aboard a seagoing documented vessel of 200gt and greater is required to hold an appropriate license
46 CFR 15.820(b).

Asst Engineers - a person in charge of an engineering watch aboard a
mechnically propelled
seagoing documented vessel of 200gt or greater is required to hold an appropriate license
46 CFR 15.825(a). It is the responsiblity of the vessel master to
establish the watch 46 CFR 15.705(a).

Watches -
Establishment of adequate
watches is the responsibility of the master 46 CFR 15.705(a). Also see
the discussion in the MSM Vol III.

Navigable Waters Legal Determination "Rufus Lake"
- Legal determination of request as to navigable waterway status of Rufus Lake on the Columbia
River between Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams. This area determined to be navigable and therefore subject to Coast Guard
jurisdiction.

Navigation

Navigation Rules -
COMDTINST M16672.2D -
The entire pamplet of the Navigation Rules. NOTE that the Inland Nav Rules are required for vessels anytime the vessel
operates inside the COLREGs Demarcation Lines. This job aid
provides a listing of lines of demarcation around the country. If a vessel never crosses inland of the these lines,
the vessel is not required to carry a copy of the inland nav rules. There is no requirement for commercial fishing
vessels to carry a copy of the International Navigation Rules.

Operating without a Lookout (Rule 5) of the Nav Rules -
Nav Rule 5 - Maintaining a proper lookout - Although a common
practice, it is a violation of the navigation rules to drift at night while all crew sleeps.

NOTE: A vessel at anchor is not relieved from the requirement to maintain a lookout. There are various references
to this specific example, visit
http://navruleshandbook.com/Rule5.html under "Prevailing Circumstances and Conditions&quot.

Use of Electronic Navigation Pubs / Charts in Lieu of paper.-
NVIC 01-16 - allows the use of electronic versions of Navigation Pubs to include Light List,
Local Notice to Mariners, Tide and Current Tables, Coast Pilot, VTS Rules.

It also discusses allowing electronic charts in lieu of paper charts. This requires an Electronic Chart System (ECS) for viewing the electronic charts. Except for a Class A Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), there are currently no ECS and software combination that meet the requirements as they must have a Certificate of Conformity showing the system is in compliance with the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTMC). For example a desktop or laptop computer with electronic charts does not meet this requirement.

NOAA Fisheries

Memorandum of Agreement on Observer Safety
- National agreement signed
December 21, 2004, this memo estblishes information sharing from NMFS Observer reports and institution of overall cooperation to
improve Observer safety.

On occasion national or state fisheries agencies charter a commercial fishing vessel to do oceanographic or
limnological research. These vessel are not required to be inspected as Oceanographic Research Vessels in accordance with 46
CFR Subchapter U because they are not "being employed only in oceanographic instruction or research". These charters are
considered as uninspected passenger vessels. If the vessel has a valid dockside examination decal and properly licensed crew
including a master with at least a uninspected passenger vessel license or better this vessel can operate. The cognizant OCMI
should be notified. The NMFS and the USCG have an (MOU) that establishes an inspection requirement when they charter a vessel.

NMFS / USCG MOA (May 1980) -the NMFS desired
an increased level of safety for their charters prior to the implementation of the CFIVS regs and entered into this MOA with the
Coast Guard. This is an old MOA that was established prior to the implementation of the CFIVS act and references requirements in
46 CFR Subchapter "C" and some parts of Subchapter "T". Although still valid HQ is working on a new MOU that will adopt 46 CFR Part
28 as the acceptable criteria.

Marine Safety Manual Vol II, B-4-H) -This guidance updates the MOA. Since the MOA was signed in 1980, the Congress passed the Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Act in 1988 that went into affect in 1991. So references to Subchapter T are not appropriate as fishing vessels have mandatory safety requirements now.
28 as the acceptable criteria.

Passengers for hire on Commercial Fishing Vessels

D17 District Instruction
-Dated april 10, 2013, this instruction outlines the requirements for commercial fishing
vessels that carry passengers for hire. D17 businesses have seen an upstart of an industry of people that want to experience
what it is like to work on a commercial fishing vessel as many have seen on television.

NVIC 1-92 (Enclosure 5) -
Regular batteries sold over the counter such as 9 volt and A, C or D cells even though they have a date must be replaced
annually. Special marine type battereis marked with an expiration date must be replaced after the date marked on the battery.

IOPP Certificate CG-5352
- issued to commercial fishing vessels greater than 400GT on a foreign voyage.
This is a requirement of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the
Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78). The IOPP certificate is a requirement of MARPOL Annex I - Prevention of pollution from oil
for ships. An examination of the vessel is conducted in accordance with 33 CFR 151.23 and form CG5352A. Once found in
compliance a commercial fishing vessel is issued form CG-5352 IOPP certificate which is valid for 5 years with a requirement
for annual endorsements. A commercial fishing vessel is also issued the CG-5352A which is a supplement to the IOPP Certificate.

MSC Stability Guidance Document -
Guidance dated Mar 21, 2013 from the Marine Safety Center on submitting stability calculations to the MSC. The MSC reviews CFV
stability for load line assignment at the request of an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), for a vessel of concern,
or as part of their oversight of an Authorized Classification Society. The guidance in this document applies to both new and
existing vessels.

State Numbering of Vessels

- vessels measuring under 5 net tons can be registered with the state in which the vessel owner resides
according to that states law in lieu of being documented.

STCW is required for licensed mariners of fish
processing vessels that do not catch fish. Licensed mariners of fish processors that do catch fish are exempted from STCW.

STCW Convention Article II paragraph (f) defines only a fishing vessel, in Article III paragraph (b) states fishing vessels are exempt from STCW. There are no other fishing vessel definitions. So if a fish processing vessel also fishes the licensed mariners for those vessels are exempt from STCW.

46 CFR 15.103(e) also states that fishing vessels used as fish-tender vessels are also exempt from STCW. Definitions for fishing vessel is in
46 USC 2101(11)(a) and fish tender vessel is defined in 46 USC 2101(11)(c).

Survival Equipment

FAQs about the servicing of Survival Craft
-
Dated Sept 1999 this letter from HQ Life Saving Standards Division, included information about why annual servcing of
inflatable survival craft is required. This is a good reference.

Excess Equipment MOC Policy Ltr 01-96
-
Excess survival equipment aboard commercial fishing vessels. Excess survival equipment can be kept on board if used for
drill purposes and must be marked for "drill use only". This does not extend to inflatable survival craft, 13th
District policy is that a survival craft beyond its service date will not be allowed to be kept on board and cannot be
marked for "drill use only".

An inflatable survival craft that is beyond its servicing date by 5 months must be
removed from the vessel and serviced. Inflatable survival craft may not be kept on board and marked for drill
use only, even if it is not required due to the vessels route.

Note that this is not a legal requirement nor is it a rule. If during an inspection the condition
of the immersion suit is in question due to the materail condition of the suit, the owner may elect to test the suit in
order to prove its condition as being satisfactory.

NMFS Observer Valise Liferafts Memo
-
dated 15 Jul 2008 allows the carriage of additional life raft aboard a commercial fishing vessel that is required to carry and
National Marine Fisheries Servcie Observer if the vessel existing life raft has insufficient capacity for the added
NMFS observer. This life raft is not SOLAS approved but my be used aboard a vessel operating in an area that is required
to carry SOLAS life refts.

HQ Policy Letter 15-05 -
Replacements for out of the water survival craft and replacement of life floats and rigid buoyant apparatus-
Dated December 15, 2015 - As of February 26, 2016 vessels that were required to carry a life float or a rigid buoyant apparatus must be replaced with suvival craft that does not allow any part of a persons body to be immersed in water.
This would require at least an inflatable buoyant apparatus or any inflatable life raft..

Documentation and Tonnage Brochure
- This informational brochure provides an overview of federal documentation and tonnage measurement
requirements for owners of U.S. commercial vessels less than 79 feet in overall length.

Requirement to carry FCC Ship Station License -
47 CFR 80.13 - An FCC SSL is not required for any radio communicating equipment that is
not required by regulation. Only a commercial fishing vessel required to carry a radio as listed in 46 CFR 28.245 is required to have
the license.

Telecommunications Policy - 2182 kHZ distress watchkeeping message -
ALCOAST R142027Z 13 - Due to termination of
watchkeeping on the 2 mHz band the Coast Guard will continue to monitor the following distress frequencies in the 4/6/8/12 mHZ
bands for voice distress calls.

Requirement to upgrade VHF Radios to DSC by Jan 20, 2016 vessels 300GT and greater-
View Public Notice The FCC released a public notice dated April 16, 2015. This notice requires all commercial fishing vessels that are required to carry a VHF radio to replace them with VHF radios with Direct Selective Calling (DSC) capability by January 20th 2016.

DSC VHF radios installed on vessel not required to carry them.-
View Public Notice - The FCC released a public notice dated December 10, 2012. This notice states that if a non-compulsory ship installs a DSC radio, they must get an MMSI but they do not have to have GPS installed.

Tribal Enforcement

25 CFR 249.7 - Bureau of Indian Affairs -
Indian Tribes have special fishing rights, these regs specify that tribal vessels are not exempt from any law or regulation pertaining to safety, obstruction of navigable waters, national defense, security of public property, pollution, health, sanitation or registration.

Work Vests

46 CFR 26.30 -
Althouth work vests are not required to be carried aboard commercial fishing vessels, we highly encourage their use. This is to clarify that when these devices are carried aboard the vessel they MUST be maintained in serviceable condition. (Coast Guard Marine Safety Personnel should ensure the device is in serviceable condition in accordance wth the Coast Guard approval and if not, the work vest must be removed from the vessel and either repaired or destroyed. Highly encourage their replacement.)

Bar Closure -
Done when the environmental conditions exceed the operational limitations of the relevant Coast Guard search and rescue
resources as determined by the COTP. No vessels can cross the bar unless specifically exempted by the COTP.

13th District CFIVS Reference Guide
- This is the .pdf version of the job aid, last updated June 2015, this guide was developed by the 13th District which
encompasses the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. .

Definitions - If you do not find a definition but would like to have it added to this list please let me know at daniel.e.hardin@uscg.mil

Boundary Lines Definition

Boundary Lines are defined in 46 CFR 7. In general, they follow the trend of the seaward high water shorelines and
cross entrances to small bays, inlets and rivers. Where the boundary line differs from the above definition have been plotted on the below
Google Maps.

HQ guidance document - "Built" as used to delineate a vessel’s
build date, is used throughout International Conventions, U.S. law, and Coast Guard regulations as the date when the vessel’s keel is laid or
reaches a similar stage of construction. Consistent with those intentions, the term “built,” as it applies to newly constructed CFVs
(post July 1, 2012, or post January 1, 2010 for smaller vessels, which are the effective dates in the CGAA), means: when a vessel’s keel is laid;
or when construction identifiable with the vessel has begun.

Coastal Waters33 CFR 175.105 - Coastal waters include the waters from 3nm off shore to the first point
where the waterway narrows to within 2nm across. Measurment should be made from points on the land when measured from the high water mark
on the shoreline. On charts, blue tinted areas are always wet, green tinted areas are intertidal and are not land, buff color areas are
land and are always dry.

Coastwise
Coastwise is referenced under Personal Floatation Device Lights 46 CFR 25.25-13(a). There is no definition of coastwise in Part 28.
The only definition for coastwise can be found in each inspected vessel subchapter related to a vessel routes.

Although each of the above are applicable to its own subchapter we have adopted the general definition.
"Coastwise" and is interpreted to mean
coastal waters - 33 CFR 175.105 and waters out to 20 nautical miles off shore. (coastal waters include the
waters from 3nm off shore to the first point where the waterway narrows to within 2nm across.

Defined in 46 USC 2101(11a) - means a vessel that
commercially engages in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish or an activity that can reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish.

Defined in 46 USC 2101(11c) - means a vessel
that commercially supplies, stores, refrigerates,
or transports fish, fish products, or materials
directly related to fishing or the preparation
of fish to or from a fishing, fish processing,
or fish tender vessel or a fish processing
facility.

Foreign Voyage

Defined in 46 USC 3201(3) - A voyage from a place in the United States to a place in a Foreign
Country.

High Seas

Defined in 46 CFR 25.26-1 - High seas means the waters beyond a line three nautical miles
seaward of the Territorial Sea Baseline as defined in
33 CFR 2.20.

International Voyage

As it relates to Loadlines. 46CFR42.05-45 an international voyage "means
a sea voyage from any country to any port outside that country , or conversely". Note this does not include Canada when navigating on
sheltered waters of Puget Sound and contiguous west coast waters of United States and Canada see 46CFR42.03-35.

Length Overall or Overall in Length

Defined in 46 USC 2101(20b) - The horizontal distance of the hull between the foremost part
of the stem and the aftermost part of the stern, excluding fittings and attachments. This definition is the one used in the language of the
Coast Guard Authorization act used to determine a vessels length for applicabilty for being required to be classed and/or loadlined.
It is also the determining factor for vessel required to comply with Alternate Safety Compliance programs to be developed.

Lines of Demarcation (COLREGs)

- This job aid provides a listing of lines of demarcation
around the country. If a vessel never crosses inland of the these lines, the vessel is not required to carry a copy of the inland nav rules.
There is no requirement for commercial fishing vessels to carry a copy of the International Navigation Rules.

Defined in 46 CFR 69.9 - Horizontal distance between the foremost part of a vessels stem to
the aftermost part of the vessels stern, excluding fittings and attachments.

Substantial change

HQ guidance document - For the purposes of meeting requirements of an
alternate safety compliance program, the term “substantial change,” has the same meaning as the term “major conversion” as defined
by 46 U.S.C. § 2101(14a). A substantial change or major conversion under this definition
means a conversion of a vessel that: substantially changes the dimensions (e.g. length, breadth, or depth) or carrying capacity of
the vessel; changes the type of the vessel; substantially prolongs the life of the vessel; or, otherwise so changes the
vessel that it is essentially a new vessel, as decided by the Commandant.

Proposed Rule - Federal Register - April 13, 1989 -
- Final rule: Extension of compliance date. Originally published in the Federal Register August 17, 1988, 406 EPIRBs were required for fishing
vessels operating on the high seas. Owners had until August 17, 1989 to bring their vessel in compliance, this date was extended to May 17, 1990 by
this proposed rule.

Notice of Acceptance- Federal Register - May 24, 1990
- This notice officially recognized the Marine Index Bureau (MIB) as a qualifed party that has knowledge and
experience in the collection of statistical insurance. data. The CFIVS Act required that the Coast Guard compile statisties concerning
marine casualties from data compiled from insurers of commercial fishing industy vessels. The MIB was authoried to collect this informtion and
make periodic reports to the Coast Guard. Since the final rule was not yet been published, insureres were encourated to begin voluntarily
reporting the data to the MIB.

Supplementary Notice of Proposed Rule - Federal Register - October 27, 1992
- This SNPRM was proposed after some of the items in the Final Rule of August 14, 1991 generated
comments of public concern and were separated from the final rule in order that the items could be adequately be addressed. These topic
include stability for fishing vessels < 79 feet, survivall craft requirements carrying less than 4 POB inside 12 miles. Also Aleutian Trade
Act, Load Lines, drill course curricula and instructor acceptance criteria, termination of fishing vessels. Register proposed changes

ANPRM - Federal Register - March 31, 2008
- Proposed changes to the Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations which include requiring
stability calculations for vessels and stability training for masters of vessels between 50 and 79 feet. Changes to current requirements for
immersion suits to vessel that operate beyond the boundary line and north of 32 degrees north alleviating the requirements in NVIC 1-92. Requiring
a qualified drill conductor to be board vessels operating beyond the boundary line with more than 16 POB. Other changes include require
registration of EPIRBs, survival craft capable of being launched by one person.

Notice - Federal Register July 15, 2013
- Announcement of the termination of radioteleophone watchkeeping on MF frequency 2182 voice, 2187.5 DSC and 2570 weather
and marine information boardcasts. This impacts documented fishing vessels that operate between 20 and 100 miles from shore. These vessels required
to carry SSB 2-4 mHz which now will not be monitored for emergency distress calls. Any MF radio transmitter will not work for emergency
transmissions.

Final Rule - Federal Register - March 14, 2014 -
Waiver of Citizenship Requirements for Crewmembers on Commercial Fishing Vessels. Amendment to previous guidance as provided in
HQ Policy Letter 01-02.(CANCELLED). The guidance has now been placed in the
federal regulations 46 CFR Part 28. Until published in the regulations this guidance shall be utilized.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking- Federal Register - June 21, 2016 -
The Coast Guard proposes to
align its commercial fishing industry
vessel regulations with the mandatory
provisions of 2010 and 2012 legislation
passed by Congress that took effect upon
enactment. The alignments would
change the applicability of current
regulations, and add new requirements
for safety equipment, vessel
examinations, vessel safety standards,
the documentation of maintenance, and
the termination of unsafe operations.

HQ Policy Ltr 14-90- Fishing Processing Vessels:
Definition and Load Lines- dated Jun 20, 1990 this discusses fish processors, the requirement for
them to be loadlined and discusses what types of processes qualify as processing or not..

HQ Policy Ltr 01-96 - Excess Equipment
- Excess survival equipment aboard commercial fishing vessels. Excess survival equipment can be kept
on board if used for drill purposes and must be marked for "drill use only". This does not extend to inflatable survival craft,
13th District policy is that a survival craft beyond its service date will not be allowed to be kept on board and cannot be marked
for "drill use only".

HQ Policy Ltr 2-97 -
Shore Connection- HQ determined that 1.5 inch quick disconnects are an acceptable equivalent to the
standard shore connection normally required. This does not apply to oceangoing vessels 400 GT or greater on international service.

HQ Policy Letter 10-05 -
Use of Electronic Navigation Pubs / Charts- This policy letter allows the use of electronic versions
of Navigation Pubs to include Light List, Local Notice to Mariners, Tide and Current Tables, Coast Pilot, VTS Rules. Although the
references in the letter does not specifically reference the CFIVS regs, according to an e-mail response, according to Captain
Christensen it is intented to apply to commercial fishing vessels.THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE USE OF ELECTRONIC CHARTS IN LIEU OF PAPER CHARTS.

HQ Policy Ltr 04-07 - Acceptance of 3rd Party
Organizations- Dated Aug 6, 2007provided additional guidance on the acceptance of accepted organization
and similarly qualified organizations and provided for rescinding of acceptance of an individual third party qualification. This
guidance also stipulates that all exam paperwork be submitted to the Area Coordinators as opposed to District as outlined in 46 CFR 28.710(e).

HQ Policy Ltr 04-08 - Unserviceable
Survival Equipment- dated 6 August 2004 provides guidance on what should be done with unserviceable
survival equipment on board commercial fishing vessels. Also discusses termination guidance for survival craft 5 months beyond
service date, hydrostatic releases and disposable hydrostatic release units 5 months past expiration. An inflatable survival craft that
is beyond its servicing date by 5 months must be removed from the vessel and surviced. Inflatable survival craft may not be kept on
board and marked for drill use only, even if it is not required due to the vessels route.

HQ Policy Letter 12-02 -
CFV Safety Program Management: USCG Auxiliary CFV Examiner and Dockwalking Augumenation. -
Dated March 1, 2012 - FInal policy that states that Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel may assist the CFIVS program by conducting
mandatory dockside exams as proviided for with the signing of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010.

HQ Policy Letter 15-05 -
Replacements for out of the water survival craft and replacement of life floats and rigid buoyant apparatus-
Dated December 15, 2015 - As of February 26, 2016 vessels that were required to carry a life float or a rigid buoyant apparatus must be replaced with suvival craft that does not allow any part of a persons body to be immersed in water. This would require at least an inflatable buoyant apparatus or any inflatable life raft..

NVIC 5-86 -
Voluntary Standards for U.S. Uninspected Commercial Fishing Vessels - Before the passing of the Commercial Fishing
Vessel Safety Act of 1988 this NVIC was released as voluntary safety equipment recommendations for commercial fishing vessels,
compliance was voluntary. THIS IS PROVIDED AS HISTORICAL INFORMATION.

NVIC 7-91 -
Determination of Cold water areas - All waters in the 13th district are cold waters.

NVIC 12-91 -
Termination of Unsafe Operations Aboard Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels- This was initial guidance from HQ on
termination for commercial fishing vessels. This has some good verbiage on the general stance on when terminations might be appropriate.

NVIC 7-01 - Procedures for Hull Inspection and Repair on Vessel Built
of Riveted Construction

NVIC 8-04- Guide To Marine Equipment Approvals Covered by US-EC MAR - provides guidance on the Agreement between the United States and the European Community on mutual recognition of certificates of conformance. This allows the Coast Guard to accept equipment approved by the EC as we currently accept SOLAS approved equipment.

NVIC 1-08- Testing of Immersion Suits-
dated 28 Jan 2008 - provides recommended testing intervals for leak testing seams and closures.
(Note that this is not a legal requirement nor is it a rule. If during an inspection the condition of the immersion suit is in question due to the material condition of the suit, the owner may elect to have the suit tested as per this NVIC in order to prove its condition as being satisfactory.)

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 -
This is an excerpt from the law (section 604) which relates to legislation that changes the voluntary nature of the CFIVS
Program to mandatory examinations for vessels that operate beyond 3 nautical miles from the territorial sea baseline. It also alleviates the
boundary line for the above 3nm line. Many other safety equipment changes.

-- in the reqts for mandatory dockside exams, replaces the wording and requires vessel complete the first
dockside exam before Oct 15, 2015.

- in the reqts for mandatory dockside exams, replaces the wording "at least once every two years" with "at
least once every five years." It adds wording that requires completion of the first dockside examination not later
than October 15, 2015.

-- in the reqts for class certification for new builds over 50 ft, replaces the July 2012 date with July 2013 instead.

-- same for loadline reqts for new builds over 79 ft.

-- in the alternate safety compliance reqts, replaces the July 2012 date cutoff for major conversions with July 2013.

-- defines the term "built."

-- modifies the sunset date for buoyant apparatus and lifefloats to a future date (at least 2016) dictated by completion
of a report to Congress on the effectiveness of such survival craft.

US Code Changes from 2012 Auth Act-
This document is a copy of US Code which currently includes language changes from the 2010 Auth Act to sections 4502, 4503, 5102
and 5103. Corrections as per The 2012 Auth Act have been pen and inked into
this document in red.

Marine Safety Information Bulletin -
Dated 1 December 2014 purpose to remind the comercial fishing industry changes by Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 and the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012. Includes information on mandatory exams, survival craft no longer allowed where any part of the body cannot be immersed in water, definition of the term "built", load lines, and alternate safety compliance programs.

-- Vessels at least 50 feet but not more than 79 feet, constructed after Feb 8, 2016 must be designed by an individual licensed by
a State as a naval architect or marine engineer, and the design
incorporates standards equivalent to those prescribed by a
classification society accepted by the Secretary.

-- Construction of the vessel is overseen and certified
as being in accordance with its design by a marine surveyor
of an organization accepted by the Secretary.

Reports

Living to Fish - Dying to Fish
- In a three-week period at the dawn of 1999, eleven lives and four clam/conch fishing vessels were lost off the
mid-Atlantic coast. This quick succession of casualties in one fishery, in a small geographic area, shocked the regional fishing community.
Questions were raised as to whether they represented a statistical anomaly or a worsening trend in fishing safety. Rear Admiral Robert C. North, the
Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection, chartered a Task Force to:

1. evaluate recent serious casualties;
2. examine recent casualties in the context of historical data;
3. provide quick feedback to the industry;
4. review the current fishing vessel safety program and past safety initiatives;
5. recommend significant measures to reduce loss of life and vessels; and,
6. develop direction for government and industry.

The Task Force was chartered on 27 January 1999 and this report was due to Admiral North on 19 March
1999. The charter is in Appendix A.

Analysis of Fishing Vessel Casualties
- Conducted by the HQ Office of Investigations and Analysis, Compliance and Analysis Division, dated December 2011.
This is a review of Fishing Vessel Casualties from 1992 to 2010.